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Magic of Copper

The Magic of Copper Strips

Your probably wondering what I mean about copper being magic. To us in our world, copper is the best preventative measure you can take after we clean your roof to keep it from getting reinfected with organic invaders. It is magical for you as a homeowner because you will NEVER have to clean your roof again after our one time clean. That means you will be saving tons of money.

Read on for all the juicy details…

Get an all natural solution to your dirty roof problems! This means no more need of cleaning your roof and no more risk of liability. Protect your investment!

While there is another preventive measure similar in concept to copper, which is zinc strips, I am going to solely focus on copper. Briefly, zinc strips are less expensive but the life use of them is significantly shorter.

Key Features and Benefits of Copper Strips

  • Double sided copper is 20 times stronger than zinc and lasts significantly longer
  • Copper uses the natural process of ionic interaction with water
  • It will blend with most shingle colors after oxidation
  • Works on roofs made of shingles, slate or cedar.
  • Improve the look of your roof by preventing organic growths from algae, moss, mold or lichen.
  • Save money on having to clean your roof.
  • Copper will continue to work for years and years. It can be reused on each new roof you have.

How is it done?

If your roof already has existing buildup of algae, moss, lichen or mold, you will definitely need to have it cleaned. Our low pressure roof wash kill these growths to prevent it from continuing to feed. Once your roof has been cleaned by us, we then suggest to invest in copper strips. The copper is install at the ridge of the roof with copper nails. Unlike zinc strips you do not have to put the copper in the middle of the roof to get the full effect of its prevention. We clean the roof one day and come back a few days later to do the install. The upfront cost of a roof cleaning and copper strips might seem like a lot to some, however if you factor the years of non-cleaning and maintenance, you will be saving tons of money.

Further elaboration…

The copper is installed at the ridge of the roof. When water from rain falls on the roof and hits the copper, you get a natural process that puts a protective barrier on your roof. Water interating with copper releases ions that prevent the growth of organic invaders such as algae, moss, lichen and mold. After a while, the copper will oxidize and give you a seamless look with your existing color of shingle.

Q&A

Why do I get algae and other organic growths on my roof?

Algae is usually the first sign that you have an infected roof. Algae is that unsightly black area on your shingles. Those streaks are BAD and you want to get rid of them. Algae thrives or as I like to say feeds on your asphalt. They feed on one of the key ingredients in shingles which is limestone. Shingles also hold moisture from rain and humidity which provides the best environment for algae. Once you get this growth, please expect moss and lichen to shortly follow. Those are the worst growths to have!

Why do I need copper if I have a warranty?

First, warranties on shingles are very limited on coverage and scope. They typically provide a pro-rated algae resistant warranty. This does not give you any coverage against the bad growths such as lichen, moss or mold that can cause premature shingle failure. Secondly the only algae shingle manufacturers cover is the green algae. Sorry folks, your typical algae on the roof is black not green.

What exactly does algae do to my roof?

Algae slowly consumes the limestone in your shingle. This will weaken the shingle. Algae produces a dark pigment which we call the black streaks or patches. As this pigment accumulates on the roof, your roof will become less reflective. Once this occurs, you will begin to absorb more sunlight which is transferred into the house as heat. This can raise your cooling costs. As you have a thicker accumulation, your shingles will hold more moisture. Algae is the first step toward a huge problem. As it colonizes, it can lead to other fungus like lichen and moss. None of those are covered in your warranty. Worse than that, they will weaken and deteriorate your granular shingles. Diminishing your roof life.

Can I pressure wash my roof?

NO NO NO! The ARMA, Asphalt Roof Manufacturers Association and all other manufacturers recommend to NOT pressure wash. WE do not recommend pressure washing your roof! Why? High pressure will damage your shingle roof. It will dislodge granules and will lead to premature shingle failure. You will immediately lose any warranty on your shingle if you use high pressure. In addition, pressure washing will not solve the organinc growth problem. Its a temporary solution to what you can see. It isn’t killing it. It will come back and you will be in a worse situation as you damaged your roof by using high pressure. Don’t do it! Call us.

Will copper void my warranty?

Our copper is pure grade copper. This is classified as a non-corroding metal and is resistant to corrosion. Manufacturers require the metal for flashing and valleys to be non-corroding. Since copper is a non-corroding metal it should not void your warranty. You can verify with them. Since most shingles have a minimal warranty from the manufacturer, the granulars most likely have some cooper embedded in the process. When it doubt, always check with the manufacturer.

What next?

If you feel your roof is infected, call us. We do free estimates. We will access the amount of buildup and give our best recommendation. After we clean your roof, it is always a good idea to either have us put you on a maintenance cleaning schedule or install copper strips. Protecting your investment will save you so much money and headaches!

 

 

 

 

Tips For Homeowners

Few Seasonal Tips for Homeowners:

·        Reasons why you should have your gutters cleaned.

·        How to winterize your house and save money?

Gutters

Gutters serve an important role on and around your home. They assist with controlling the flow of rain water to protect your home. They keep the water from getting into the roof, walls, foundation and landscaping around the perimeter of your home. If neglected, gutters can be a nightmare.

Clogged gutters from leaves, sticks or other leafy debris will cause damage to the interior and exterior of your home.

If you do not maintain your gutters you could have the following issues:

1.      Leaky roof, walls, or foundation due to backed up downspouts or gutters.

2.      Perfect breeding ground for insects and critters.

3.      Perfect home for pests and rodents

You can judge how often you should have your gutters cleaned based on your location. If you live in an area that has many trees with falling leaves then you may find yourself cleaning more frequently. It should be done a minimum of two times a year as leaves fall year-round. Another option to avoid having to continuously clean gutters and reduce debris buildup is getting gutter covers. Good covers such as LeaFree will allow free water-flow and prevent any or very little debris from getting inside the gutter. Do your homework when shopping for gutter guards or covers. You could pay tons of money for these and find they do not do the job.

Be observant of your surrounding area and determine your time schedule for a gutter cleaning. Having your gutters cleaned will save you tons of money and headaches down the road.

Should you clean them yourself? Well, many people, myself included like to be do-ityourselfers but sometimes you need to step back and consider safety and experience. You must determine the risk for yourself.

Winterizing Your Home

Preparing for winter is always a pain. I know for myself, I dread the winter onset. But I am always prepared. How to save money while winterizing your home? The following are suggestions to help:

1.      Give your heating system a tune-up and change Furnace filters. Dirty filters restrict air flow. If you can, have your whole system cleaned to get any dust and dirt and bacteria out before you crank it up for the long winter. Also have your duct system inspected to properly seal any areas that allow air to escape the duct.

2.      Reverse your ceiling fans in a clockwise rotation. By reversing the direction of the blades, it circulates the warmer air near the top of the ceiling to the living space. This could cut your cost by 10%.

3.      Winterize you’re A/C units and water lines. Drain any hoses and pipes in air conditioning units and double check there is not excess water inside the equipment. You can blow out lines with an air compressor to ensure no water remains. Store any hoses that have been drained away and turn off all exterior water spigots. Any water lines or hoses not needed to for winter should be properly stored and drained.

4.      Turn down your water heater. You can reduce water heating costs by 6-10 % if you turn your water heater to 120 degrees instead of leaving it at 140 degrees Fahrenheit. (You can also invest in more energy efficient heaters, solar heaters or tank less heaters).

a. You can also insulate the pipe lines to not only decrease chance of pipe freezing but also allows you to pay less for hot water.

5.      Stop the draft. It is reported that a draft can waste about 5-30% of energy use. Use a draft snake or a rolled bath towel under a door. Anything you can place under the door to prevent the draft from coming through.

a.      Install storm doors and windows and put up insulated plastic.

b.      Use caulking and weather-stripping.

6.      Mind the thermostat. You can save on your energy budget by turning down the thermostat during times you are away. This can also do that same during the summer with cooling. 1-3 % can be saved on heating or cooling costs each degree you drop. You can also purchase a programmable thermostat to make it easier.

a.      Put on a sweater or use a blanket instead of turning up the thermostat.

Before the bitter cold hits, stay warm and cozy with all or some of these winter tips.

Benefits of our services

Benefits To You

Why choose us over our competitors?

Throughout our website, we highlight what services we offer and what they entail. But we do not fully review how those services benefit you and why you should choose us over anyone else. I think it is just as important for you to understand the importance of what we do as well as how it is going to help you. In this article, I am going to review these so you can understand why we should be your first pick over anyone else.

Features & Benefits

Feature:We are bonded and insured. We attend yearly safety training and training seminars in our field, training in new and existing equipment.

Your Benefit: 

  • Peace of mind knowing that we have taken steps to protect you and your property and contents from any damage or theft. Knowing you have an experience and trained technician completing the work.

Feature: Readily available and flexible. We work six days a week from sun up to sun down. You need us on Sunday? By appointment, we can work on a Sunday. We work during times other companies do not. We are absolutely committed to our clients and ensure we are available 24/7 through our various contact channels such as text, phone, email, website chat and on social media. You will get a response within minutes to hours depending on the channel of contact.

Your benefit:

  • You get a company that works around your schedule.
  • Available 24/7
  • Open communication for all questions, comments or concerns.
  • Transparency

Our service: Low pressure washing on delicate surfaces such as roofs, house, gutters, fencing and more. This is the only method that should be used on delicate surfaces such as vinyl siding, gutters, cedar, soffitts and others. Our method will ensure that the debris and grime buildup that creates an unsightly look around your home is removed. It also ensures that organic growths like mold and algae are killed. Our method utilizes special equipment and cleaning solution to give you a lasting clean.

Your benefit: 

  • No damage to any of those delicate areas. You could spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on damaged surfaces if the wrong cleaning method is applied.
  • It actually kills the organic invader feeding on your delicate surfaces.
  • It will give you instant curb appeal.
  • It will increase the value of your home.
  •  Maintain and enhance the longevity.
  • Saves you time & headaches.
  • Safer to have a professional complete instead of trying to do it yourself.

Our Service: Power washing or pressure washing on hardier surfaces such as concrete, brick, asphalt, stone, and certain types of decking/patios. Pressure washing should only be used on surfaces that can withstand the pressure amounts between 750- 4000 psi. Serious damage can occur with inexperience, lack of knowledge and improper use of the equipment.

Your Benefit:

  • No damage to any surfaces which means money saved. Our trained technicians know how much pressure specific surfaces can withstand. Our professional grade equipment will ensure you get a uniform clean. This will make sure surfaces like wood decking won’t get shredded apart by having the pressure tip to close or wrong psi.
  • Uniform clean. When pressure washing, you want to make sure you keep the psi and pressure tip the same. Otherwise, you will see lines or cause damage.
  • Peace of mind knowing you have a trained and experience technician completing the work.
  • Completely kills any organic invader like mold growing on the surfaces.
  • It will give you instant curb appeal.
  • It will increase the value of your home.
  •  Maintain and enhance the longevity.
  • Saves you time & headaches.

Our Service: Gutter cleaning and flush and gutter caps with leafree. We clean all debris inside the gutters, exterior on the gutters, unclog areas that are impacted, flush them to ensure proper water flow, repair any areas that need them and install our special designed gutter caps. Gutter systems are designed to control the flow of water away from your home to prevent problems such as flooded basements, cracked foundations and rotten wood. Clogged gutters are the number one cause of basement water problems.

Your Benefit:

  • Safety. Personal harm could occur when using ladders and walking on roofs. If you are not equipped with the proper equipment or safety devices, you could potentially risk a fall.
  • Save you money. You could have some costly repairs if you have gutter systems that do not work properly. If flow is impacted by clogs, you could end up with  serious issues such as flooded basements, cracked foundations, rotten wood or insect breading grounds. All costly issues.
  • Save you time and headaches.
  • Peace of mind.

Our Service: Janitorial & floor care services. We offer residential and commercial janitorial services. We have the top of the line equipment in the industry to complete cleanings. We design our cleaning packages to accommodate your needs. We use equipment such as vacuums with HEPA filtration, floor machines to pull up more dirt and instantly dry floors, top of the line buffers, burnishers and disinfectants with 1 minute kill times for bacteria. Our janitorial managers conduct quality control audits and surprise inspections to ensure our standard of cleaning is being done.

Your Benefit:

  • Better clean because of the newest janitorial equipment and technology.
  • Hepa filtration gives you better air quality because it helps keep the dust down in the building. You will save on your cleaning budget because there will be less dusting needed.
  • Less sick days for your or the employees working in your building because we have equipment and cleaning disinfectants that kill bacteria such as influenza, MRSA, Salmonella and various others with a kill time of 1 minute or less.
  • You do not have to worry that the cleaning is not being done or have to contact us about a problem. We conduct audits, quality control checks and surprise inspections to ensure high standards of cleaning.
  • Open communication and supply management. We continuously keep in contact if supplies are running low so there is no worry about having necessary items such as toilet paper or soap. We are conscious on supply consumption and make sure supplies are used efficiently.
  • Tailor cleaning package to stay within your budget.

We understand the importance of  knowing what you are getting out of the services you receive. We know that value is extremely important. This is why I wanted to highlight some of the services and features we offer and why they benefit you. I wanted to take this on the perspective of a customer. We want you to understand why we are the better choice compared to competitors. You know we offer a variety of cleaning options, we are insured, trained, have top of the line equipment, experience and knowledge. Having a full picture of the company is important in the determination of choosing them. You want to know what your are getting for the price you pay. You don’t want someone with inexperience or improper equipment. This could potentially cost you more in the long run and be more of a headache. Let us save you from the headache and make the process painless.

 

 

The Cure For Your Diseased Surfaces. How To Kill That Organic Invader.

Save Time, Money and Headaches

Left Side: After Treatment/ Right Side: Before Treatment

Let me start by saying any organic growth like moss, algae (black streaks), mold or lichen are alien invaders. They do not belong on the surfaces of your home. You need to destroy these infections on your delicate surfaces before they cause damage. Do not let the exterior of your home suffer. We have the cure! Our cure kills, destroys and removes these infectious growths SAFELY.

 

 

In my previous article, soft washing vs pressure washing, I expressed the difference between the two and why it is important to know the difference. If you have not checked out the article yet, please do! Here I wanted to speak more to the soft washing side because this method is used in all our delicate surface cleanings.

You may ask yourself why it is important to know this information or why you would want to hire a professional company to complete your exterior cleaning. I believe it is very important to know this information because your home or office is one of your biggest investments. It is very important to protect your investment. It is important to hire a professional and experienced company to complete this cleaning. Having a company with the experience, knowledge, training and proper tools to complete this cleaning will provide you not only peace of mind but also a longer lasting clean. It is very important to clean and maintain the exterior of your home or office on a regular basis. It is equally important to look for and hire a company that has the proper experience, tools and training. This will save you money and many headaches.

With Hogwash, you will have seasoned and trained professionals completing the clean with commercial grade cleaning solutions and equipment. We know the method of cleaning to use on the cleaning task at hand. We know what special nozzles, hoses, tips and solution mix to use when washing.  I wanted to write a separate article to elaborate more on soft washing. In the pressure washing industry, roof and house washing and soft washing go hand in hand. Experienced Professionals know that you never use pressure of any type on a roof or siding when cleaning it. Other terms used in the pressure washing industry include low pressure washing and no pressure washing. No matter which term you like to use, the result is a clean exterior that hasn’t been damaged from high pressure equipment

What is Soft Washing?

Soft washing is the new revolution in cleaning your exterior. Just like pressure washing, soft washing has its place in the exterior cleaning world. It is the only method proven to safely eradicate organic infections like algae (black streaks), moss, lichen, mildew or mold from delicate surfaces such as siding, roofs, decks, fences and stucco. The pressure that should be applied to your home is comparable to a heavy rain storm or pressure of a normal garden hose. You want to use a method that is recommended or you could void any manufacturer warranty. Trust me, if you look in the fine print of your shingled roof manufacturer, you will see written into their warranties that any pressure washing to the shingle will void the warranty. Do not put yourself in that predicament. Pressure washers can and will cause damage if you use them on delicate surfaces.  Adding inexperience to the mix and you could be looking at a mess.

Our soft washing method is completed by using soft wash pumps to apply a commercial grade solution and surfactant at low pressure to clean delicate surfaces. Our systems consist of a holding tank for our solution, a holding tank for our surfactant, a holding tank for water, a solution pump, hose and hose reels, marine battery, trigger gun to control flow, and special nozzles to spray the solution. These systems are setup to allow a metered solution mix to be applied to the exterior surfaces. This is beneficial because it allows the solution to do the work without using unnecessary pressure. Now soft washing is not only about the system setup but also the technique of applications. You need to know how to spray the solution coming out of the soft washing trigger gun. It is very important to have proper training and experience. Inexperience with the technique could lead to improper cleaning. Looking for a company to complete your cleanings should take time. You want to look at their overall experience and knowledge.

Here at Hogwash, we go through extensive training in safety and the soft washing method, we attend seminars, invest in commercial grade equipment and solutions, know all the governmental laws and continue to educate on innovative changes in our special niche business. We also carry liability and bonding policies to give additional peace of mind to our clients. You will find that Hogwash Cleaning Solutions is your go to company for anything exterior, especially pertaining to your delicate surfaces. We pride ourselves on the service we provide and the effectiveness of our product. The cost to have us clean is significantly less than it would be to replace it. We can add instant curb appeal and increase the value of a home with a simple clean. We are a distinguished company and no one does what we do. We see those organic growths as an alien invader hanging on the surfaces of your home. We do not want this diseased invader to continue spreading on and around your home. We have the cure! Soft washing with our cleaning solution will kill the microbe and give life back to its host. Let us show you the Hogwash Difference. We know you will not be disappointed. Keep and maintain the life of the surfaces around your home or business.

 

What To Expect When Hiring A Janitorial Company

Knowledge Is Power

Introduction

As a business owner, I have my own way of coming to decisions. Some decisions come easy and others take some thought. Each business person has their own specific way to come to a conclusion on a decision. I wanted to share my thoughts on what you should consider when hiring a cleaning company. This can be applied to other decisions on contractors, as the thought process is the same.

When you are a business owner, you constantly have to make decisions that influence the company. No matter the size of the decision, each one impacts the success of the company. The ending result of a decision is based off of multiple factors such as perceived risk, rewards, emotion, education, stress and others. This is why a business owner implements reliable structure and procedures. Evaluating the possibilities to come to a sound decision is one thing all business owners do. When looking to hire an employee or a contractor, they are always looking for specific qualities. These qualities are analyzed to see if they fall into the perceived level of risk and how they will impact the company. No matter the size of the decision, the business owner will go through the same line of thinking to come to a conclusion.

Things to consider when hiring a professional

Most companies like to outsource their janitorial needs because facility cleaning, like office space is too time consuming and tiresome of a task. In most instances it is not practical to keep your cleaning needs in house. This is when you decide to hire a cleaning company. When it comes time to hire a company, you find yourself in an overwhelmed state of mind. You then ask yourself, who do I hire and how? You look up janitorial services online and find multiple listings of cleaning companies in your needed area. How do you decide what one to choose? How do you know if they will meet your needs? Will they do the job you expect?

If you are looking to outsource the work, then you realize there are advantages but how do you know what one will give you the best impact to your company? I hope to make the decision a little easier with helpful hints.

Helpful Hints

Does the company present itself and it’s employees in a professional manner?

When you are looking to hire a cleaning company, you want to make sure they present themselves in the most professional manner possible. Your first impression will be based off their website listing. A well put together website seems more appealing than a dated one. But this also goes beyond the persona and physical appearance too. The company should be dedicated to proper training in the equipment and safety, proper equipment to complete the work, experienced employees and procedures to ensure proper cleaning for quality control.The company should know how to properly clean and treat furniture, fixtures, flooring and other surfaces in the work area to avoid any damage. Do not be afraid to ask the company about these things. It is important as a hiring company to know the experience level and quality control the company has.

What cleaning services do they offer?

When looking to hire a company to take over your office cleaning, it is important to understand the services they offer. You want to make sure that you can hire a company that offers a wide array of services. This will save you a headache and the hassle of finding multiple companies to get the work done. Talk to the company to express what you are looking for. They will be able to tailor a custom package for your needs. Do not be afraid to see what additional services they offer above and beyond what you are currently looking for. This could be helpful to you in a future need. This could save you time and money down the road.

What equipment is used in their jobs?

When you are looking to get a professional cleaning for your office or facility, you want a company that has appropriate equipment. The ordinary mop, bucket, vacuum and duster just might not do. Depending on the need, it may require more proficient equipment like a buffer, floor scrubber or burnisher. Understanding what kind of maintenance your office needs, will assist you with knowing what company will work. When looking for a company ask them what they use for equipment.  See if they are using the most up to date equipment in the industry. Remember, it is all about quality control. Proper equipment and properly trained employees make for an increased proficiency.

How long has the business been established?

When hiring a janitorial company, experience is very important. Knowing that the company has experience under it’s belt means they can tackle any task given. This also means their employees have been trained properly and know their expectations in the field. You want to hire a company that understands how to run equipment and what equipment or services need to be done to complete the job. There is nothing wrong with asking how long the company has been in business and how many years of experience do they have in the janitorial world.

Do they carry insurance?

When looking to hire a company, it does not hurt to check to see if they have insurance. It is important to know that they have coverage. This will give you peace of mind knowing that your property is safe from any liability. This also illustrates the company realizes the importance of protecting it’s clients.

Conclusion

Doing your homework is necessary when looking to outsource your cleaning needs. Always make sure your questions or concerns are addressed before you hire. Understanding the mentality of a company is very important. In the end, it will save you time, money and a headache.

Here at Hogwash Cleaning Solutions, you are guaranteed a professional experience every time. Do not hesitate to reach out to us. 518-746-4119 We want to help you with all of your cleaning needs, interior and exterior. We are your go to company for all things cleaning!

 

 

The Right Tool For The Job

What Sets Us Apart

Your Tools:

You all have heard the saying use the right tool for the job. Everyone knows having the appropriate tool makes all the difference in the results in anything we do. We know the quality of that tool also plays a huge role in the finished product. When you are in the industry of what we do, it is absolutely important to have the best tools on the market to give topnotch results.

You can go to any big box store and find a power washer that puts out 3.5 GPM (gallons per minute) and pay $800-$900 on it. This type of power washer is great for you basic at home washing needs like washing your car or a farm tractor. While this big box store power washer is great for simple washing, it is not meant for professional use. We can not buy our power washers or washing systems at your big box stores. We order our tools from a company out of state that carries the newest and advanced equipment for professional cleaning companies like us. This type of equipment is costly  investment but it guarantees the quality service our clients deserve. Since these tools are extremely important to our business, we ensure that our rigs are setup to provide the best functionality. From hose reels, to soft washing pumps, to water tanks, to our special spray tips, to pole extensions to our different sized power washers,  we are prepared for every job and every surprise that can occur on a job. And for those jobs that require some more elbow grease, we use a hot tank which pushes out hot water to cut through grime. We typically use this on fleet washing or hard to clean concrete.

What does the perception of the rig and company say about the contractor you hired?

When you are looking to get your delicate surfaces like vinyl siding washed or your hardier surfaces like concrete washed, you want to hire a contractor that has the appropriate tools. You will find that Hogwash has invested in the best equipment available in our industry. We ensure our units are setup so we can work efficiently and effectively. This will create an overall better experience for our crew and clients. When you are looking to hire a company to take care of the exterior cleaning on one of your investments, look to see what tools they come with. You will get a good idea as to what you can expect for results.

Committed To Service

We are prepared for all the necessary needs of our clients. Each particular need requires a special tool or cleaning solution. The solution mix we use on a house wash will not work on a roof wash.  The solution mix we use on a roof wash will not remove rust stains on your concrete. If you hire a company who rolls out a big box store power washer, you can expect a non-professional cleaning and potential issues down the road. In experience even with a big box store power washer can create damage. (See our article on soft washing VS power washing). When Hogwash rolls into a clients property, we have the professional equipment, professional cleaning solutions and training to meet every need.

Look at all our services, before and after photos and other blog articles to learn more about Hogwash.

www.hogwashcleaners.com

 

Gutter Nightmares

Do You Suffer From Gutter Nightmares?

We all know the many headaches gutters can create. What would you say if I told you I had the perfect solution? I’m sure you want to know more. So here I go…

We know gutters are designed to do one critical thing and that’s to channel water away from the foundation to protect the structural integrity of our home. However, to do this job properly, they have to be kept free of clogs, holes and sags. This is where those headaches come into play. If you don’t maintain routine maintenance on your gutters, you end up with a bigger mess on your hands.

Most Common Problem

We all know the biggest issue is clogged gutters and living in the North Country, we know this all too well with those pine needles. These clogs can cause a number of issues. The clog will prevent water from flowing away from the foundation, resulting in it not doing its intended purpose. The debris build-up from leaves, twigs and standing water can create excess weight and make the gutter pull or sag away from the fascia. It also can cause serious water damage to your home such as your foundation.

 

clogged gutter leaves cracked foundation damage icedam clogged gutter incorrect water flow clogged gutter

Now we all have good intentions when purchasing gutters. However, when life gets in the way and we become busy with normal daily activities, our gutters are neglected. They then become a shelf to hold all the things you don’t want.

You Have Three Options:

Clean It Yourself

Hire A Company

Purchase Gutter Caps or Gutter Guards

Your 1st Option: Take quality time out of your day to spend a few hours cleaning your gutters. Is this what I recommend? NO….my reasons….

There are far too many risks for a homeowner to do this on their own, especially if you own a 2 or 3 story home.  The risk of falling and due to inexperience or even weather conditions can create trouble. The dangers of falling are definitely not worth what little bit on money you would spend for a experienced professional. In addition, inappropriate knowledge on how to properly clean and flush gutters could create damage to your gutters. Don’t  get me wrong, I love the attitude of a GO GETTER and DO IT YOURSELFER, but in situations that have more risk, I always recommend letting experienced people to do it.

Your 2nd Option: Hire a company to come clean or repair them. This is a better option for homeowners. My reasoning….

When you hire a company you are saving yourself the time and hassle of doing it on your own. It is also much safer. A company will have appropriate safety training, knowledge and equipment to do this effectively. If you find a company to do this, I feel you will be pleased with the results. Please do a little homework when looking for a company to do this. It is important to spend a little time finding a good company to complete this for you so you know your getting your money’s worth and your gutters are done correctly.

Your 3rd Option: Purchase gutter guards or gutter caps. My recommendation is to purchase gutter caps over any other product. My reasoning…

Many homeowners purchase gutter mesh or gutter guards thinking it will keep those leaves out. However, this is a misconception. If you don’t routinely clean your gutters, those mesh or guards are doing you no good. You just wasted tons of money on something that isn’t working. I have seen it too many times where plant life grow right through the mesh or guards. Still creating a clog in your gutters and keeping water from flowing the way it was intended.

Now you can purchase a few different brands of gutter caps. Many brands require being bolted or screwed into your roofing. The sound of that just sounds horrible. That is why I believe in LeaFree the only one brand of caps I trust and it’s what we use.

We work closely with LeaFree, a company that specializes in gutter protection. This patented design allows water to enter the gutter while keeping leaves and debris out. The design of LeaFree allows for a custom fit to any home and DOESN”T penetrate your roof like other gutter caps. You won’t find a better product for your gutter nightmare solutions. Please check out their site to see how it works. http://www.leafree.com/howItWorks.html This is the only true solution that will be the most cost-effective and you don’t have to spend time cleaning your gutters!

leafree_main

This can only be found exclusively with us here at Hogwash Cleaning Solutions. We are the only dealer in the area that can provide you with the cost-effective gutter system on the market!

 

What’s Eating Your Roof?

Algae, Moss, Mold & Lichen

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Have you noticed black streaks on your home? Or on someone else’s home?

If you haven’t I am sure you will pay closer attention now. Once you become aware of this common problem on everyday homes, you will be more likely to notice it right away.

Now to the meat and potatoes….

What is eating your roof? Those black streak are the start of your concern. That my friends is algae and it is FEEDING on the limestone in your shingles. The algae and bacteria are feeding, growing and spreading on your roof. Eventually if left untreated for too long, you end up with a heavy moss growth and lichen growth. This can cause serious damage to your roof and reduce the life of it. This wearing can cost you thousands of dollars, as you will have to replace it sooner.

Most people just think the black streaks are ageing of the shingles but this is not the case at all. Unknown to you, its causing your home to look dirty, taking away the life of your roof and impacting your health! Those mold spores and bacteria spread and go airborne. If left to spread, it will eventually move into your home through the attic and go airborne inside and outside your home. Now you are at risk of breathing contaminants that can effect your health.

You may be asking why does it happen on my roof?

It is a simple explanation…

Moss is a simple plant that grows vertically and lacks the common conventional roots, stems and leaves like other plant life. The growth of mold is limited to moist locations where the sunlight is non-existent or infrequent.

So roof shingles are the perfect place for moss to thrive. Why is this?

  • It receives the most rainfall
  • Has higher level of humidity
  • lack of direct sunlight
  • accumulation of leaves and other organic debris to aid in its growth.

You will notice that many homes have black streaks on one side or the other. This is because the moss and algae grow on the side with the least amount of light and has the best conditions to live.

Now there is a simple fix and a much more cost-effective option.

Find a company, such as Hogwash, that is certified, insured, trained, knowledgeable and has the proper equipment to come out to clean your home.

Cleaning the algae before it gets to the next stage will save you tons of money and make your home look good again.

See for yourself what our services can do for you!

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Home Owner Insurance Policy

Did you know….

Insurance companies CAN CANCEL your home insurance policy if your roof is Dirty.

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Insurance companies have the right to cancel your policy. They do not want to pay for damaged roofs due to algae, mold or lichen growthTo avoid this they will threaten to cancel your policy.

 

First sign there is an issue…those unsightly black streaks!

If insurance companies get wind of algae growth, those black streaks, they will send you a letter saying you need to get his cleaned or the policy is terminated. If they find out you have moss or lichen growth, they will immediately suspend your policy.

YOU ASK YOURSELF WHY THEY WOULD DO THIS?

Reasons are as follows:

  • A claim for a damaged roof due to algae, mold or lichen growth can cost them anywhere between $5000-$10000 to replace it. 
    • They want you to take care of this before a claim occurs. A cleaning costs less than replacement.
  • Untreated mold growth can cause serious issues other than just replacing your roof. 
    • It will eventually grow into your attic creating black mold. This will cost you even more out of pocket. Not only will you have to replace the roof but also get mold removed from your attic.
    • Can eventually cause heath problems if left untreated.
  • The untreated growth can depreciate the life of your shingles.
  • Those unsightly black streaks take away from the appearance of your home. As we like to say the curb appeal.
  • A dirty roof takes away the overall value 

Don’t Let This Happen To You!

SAVE YOURSELF THE HASSLE AND HEADACHE. DON’T STRESS. WE CAN HELP!

 

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roof before and after                                                                                EXPERIENCE THE HOGWASH DIFFERENCE!

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Soft Washing VS Power Washing

What’s The Difference?

Here at Hogwash Cleaning Solutions, we use two separate methods of cleaning. Depending on what surface is being cleaned will determine the method.  Please note, in the pressure washing industry we are trained and certified to complete our services. It is up to us to determine the appropriate method of soft washing or power washing (pressure washing). If an error of judgement happens, then you have some serious damage to surfaces.

Now to the good stuff. You are asking yourself, what is the big deal? what is the difference? Well there is a huge difference and I hope to highlight these so you can make a good decision on who completes your next cleaning services.

 

Soft Washing:

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Soft washing is a term we use in our industry which as it sounds is the opposite of pressure washing or power washing. While power washing is the preferred methods of contractors, we utilize this method(soft washing) for our delicate projects. Soft washing is gentle and non abrasive to the delicate surfaces such as vinyl siding, gutters, soffits, certain types of wood and shingles. The pressure is the same PSI (Pounds per square inch) as your garden hose. Power washing can cause serious damage to surfaces that can not withstand the power behind it. We have special soft washing systems to complete our cleaning services. These systems are comprised of our cleaning solution tanks, low pressure pumps, clean water tanks and all necessary tools to complete the procedure. There is never high pressure washers in our soft washing systems. This will give you peace of mind know your delicate surfaces are safe from damage.

The soft washing approach is based on our cleaning method that consists of specialized cleaning solutions to kill off mildew, algae and fungus deep at the root. These cleaning solutions are completely safe to use and are certified by manufactures. The cleaning solutions we use are sprayed on then rinsed off leaving nothing but clean undamaged surfaces.

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This is the most effective way to clean your delicate exterior surfaces.

Power Washing:

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Power washing is what most people commonly think of when they want their exterior surfaces cleaned. This method is not always the best choice as it can cause SERIOUS damage to surfaces that can’t handle the power. This method can be used with hot or cold water and our certified technicians will determine the best option.

A pressure washer or power washer is a mechanical device that uses a combination of high pressure stream and special nozzles to clean hardier surfaces such as concrete walkways, asphalt driveways, patios and some wooden decks. This method should only be used on surfaces that can maintain the pressure as a pressure washer send roughtly 750 to 4000 psi. This method is perfect to remove loose paint for paint prep, mold or mildew, dust and grime from hardy surfaces.

Buyer Beware

Please ensure when you are looking for a company to complete any type of exterior cleaning on your delicate surfaces, you know they have the proper knowledge and equipment. Otherwise you will be paying a tremendous amount of money to fix the damage. We are a company that has been doing this since 2009 and we have the knowledge, training and commercial grade equipment.

This is what happens when an average contractor or company power washes your home and doesn’t know what we know…..

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It’s your choice….

Save yourself time, Money and Headaches. Call the professionals

 

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